A 32-year-old Watgunge resident who used to do odd jobs in the neighbourhood was allegedly thrashed by a group of three men in front of a guest house in Ekbalpore where they had put up.

The incident happened on Monday evening, at a time when public flogging, mob assault vigilantism, moral policing and goondaism have assumed demonic proportions in Bengal.

Senior police officers were quick to clarify that this was not “mob violence” but a “stray fight”.

Whatever the police say, the regularity of such assaults sends a chill down the spine.

The police did not clarify why the three beat up the man.

An officer of the Port division said he was beaten up “over a trivial issue”.

In the absence of an official explanation for the attack, rumours swirled in the area.

Mohammad Ishtiaque, alias Iddu, who lives in Dent Mission Road, was allegedly beaten with iron rods and bamboo sticks in front of Royal Guest House on Karl Marx Sarani. He suffered multiple injuries.

People in the area said the three accused targeted Iddu and pinned him down. By the time the police arrived the three were back inside their rooms at the guest house.

Purported CCTV footage of the incident emerged showing a group of men assaulting the victim.

The police identified them as Shahjad Ali, Nausad and Mohammad Abbas. Police sources said all three were from Uttar Pradesh and were staying in the guest house.

Officers from the local Watgunge police station and the adjoining Ekbalpore police station went to the spot.

The three accused were arrested from their room.

They have been booked under sections of causing grievous hurt and voluntarily causing hurt and assault.

Iddu, who was first taken to SSKM Hospital, was later shifted to a private hospital in Ekbalpore.